Best Food to Add Weight to a Silkie?

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Hi! So I have recently acquired a 5 month old black silkie. We just found out that she was sick, and she is currently being treated with antibiotics. (More on the illness she got here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bloody-poop-coccidiosis-urgent.1204734/page-9#post-19114576) We also found out she's anorexic. She's incredibly light (her keel bone protrudes much too far and it was confirmed by a vet). I've been trying to get weight on her by feeding her medicated chick starter feed with warm water, olive oil, a bit of egg and eggshell, unsweetened Greek yogurt, and oregano. She also has access to plain medicated chick starter feed. Any ideas on what else I should make for her so she can gain some weight? Thanks!!!

-Chatty

 

[Sneebsey]

REDACTED (because I'm a dunce)

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

You need to stop feeding medicated starter immediately, as it contains medication and protein blockers that are harmful to birds over 8 weeks of age. I would be feeding her UNmedicated starter feed with the additions you are currently providing, and hopefully this will help her get well.

I haven't heard this. I am going to do some more research, as I have heard that the medicated is helpful. Thank you!

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

I couldn’t find anything about what you said. Could you post the link you received this information from?

 

[Sneebsey]

I believe I may have been erroneous, as I cannot find confirmation of this information anywhere on here. I also believe that there could be a culture clash involved, as I am based in the UK; I was warned against using the medicated feed available at my local (regional chain) farm-store for birds over 8 weeks, though it is highly likely that the medication used is different here. It is also perfectly plausible that they were talking out of their behinds.

I apologise if I have spread any misinformation. As I said earlier, the additions you are providing are all great choices, particularly the egg, as it is a good source of protein.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

I believe I may have been erroneous, as I cannot find confirmation of this information anywhere on here. I also believe that there could be a culture clash involved, as I am based in the UK; I was warned against using the medicated feed available at my local (regional chain) farm-store for birds over 8 weeks, though it is highly likely that the medication used is different here. It is also perfectly plausible that they were talking out of their behinds.

I apologise if I have spread any misinformation. As I said earlier, the additions you are providing are all great choices, particularly the egg, as it is a good source of protein.

Thank you for the confirmation. Everyone makes mistakes, and we are all here to learn and spread our knowledge of chickens! Thank you for all the information! Have a good day!

 

[Titan Farm]

First, stop feeding all the extras.
All your doing is depleting much needed nutrition.
Feed her a good balanced feed and offer her plane clean water that's it. The last thing you want to do is push a bunch weigh on a weak bird in short time.
If you want to offer her a treat, twice a week give her about a tablespoon of either thawed Bil-jack frozen dog food, cooked hamburger or liver.

 

[chickens really]

@oldhenlikesdogs
She raises Silkies...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

@oldhenlikesdogs
She raises Silkies...

Haha, I used to keep them but don't any longer.

I definitely would stop adding all that extra stuff too. The one thing I found that makes chicks big and strong is a daily treat of scrambled eggs. They are the perfect nutritional package for chicks. I scramble over hard boil because scrambled incorporates the whole egg.

I would start it out on a small amount, a pinch or two, and slowly increase it. It may not eat it right away but once chickens get a good taste for them they go crazy for them. I have raised chicks for two years now with a daily dose for the first 3-5 months and have never seen such grow rates.

Your chicks poop might get a bit looser, lighter and smelly eating eggs, so don't let that scare you. It's important to start small and feed an appropriate amount.

Most chicks are pretty light, so it's possible it's normal for her. You definitely don't want fat chicks or even grown birds. A good chick starter has everything your chick needs, so keep it simple when they are under 8 weeks. Make sure your starter is fresh and smells good.

Is she with other chicks? They encourage each other to eat, and eat more in groups.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Haha, I used to keep them but don't any longer.

I definitely would stop adding all that extra stuff too. The one thing I found that makes chicks big and strong is a daily treat of scrambled eggs. They are the perfect nutritional package for chicks. I scramble over hard boil because scrambled incorporates the whole egg.

I would start it out on a small amount, a pinch or two, and slowly increase it. It may not eat it right away but once chickens get a good taste for them they go crazy for them. I have raised chicks for two years now with a daily dose for the first 3-5 months and have never seen such grow rates.

Your chicks poop might get a bit looser, lighter and smelly eating eggs, so don't let that scare you. It's important to start small and feed an appropriate amount.

Most chicks are pretty light, so it's possible it's normal for her. You definitely don't want fat chicks or even grown birds. A good chick starter has everything your chick needs, so keep it simple when they are under 8 weeks. Make sure your starter is fresh and smells good.

Is she with other chicks? They encourage each other to eat, and eat more in groups.

I originally tried giving her scrambled eggs, but she wouldn't even go near them. She just backed away when I showed them to her. She might have been scared of the bowl, but I think she has developed a better association with it. We know it isn't normal for her because the keel bone is protruding very much. The vet also said that she was extremely underweight. As a comparison, or 3 month old silkie is about her size. Luna is 5 months old. She is not with any other birds. She eats her starter feed like crazy. but she also scratches it out everywhere. Lol! Thanks so much for the info! I have stopped feeding the extras, and hopefully we will notice an improvement. Thanks again!